D.I.Y. Curls: How To Rag Roll Your Hair

I love the look of naturally curly hair! My sweet friend, Katie, told me about rag rolling. It's a quick and simple way to get natural looking curls without using a curling iron! I asked her to share her method here on A Beautiful Mess because I knew you'd be itching to learn like I was! Enjoy…

You'll need some cut fabric strips, a comb and some water. All things you probably already have laying around the house (yay!)

How to rag roll your hair- First, dampen the bottom of your hair (the part you plan to roll) using a spray bottle. Next, separate a section of hair and twist it around one strip of fabric. Then, tie the fabric strip in place and repeat until the entire bottom section of your hair is rolled. After that, all you have to do is sleep on your rag rolls and remove them in the morning for pretty curls! You can feel great because this method won't damage your hair the way a curling iron can. Thank you, Katie, for sharing your pretty how-to!

291 Comments

This is wonderful! I’ve tried the premade “sleep in them” soft curlers and even with out clips and such they were super uncomfortable to sleep in. I will totally be trying this asap!

Question though-can you describe the twisting the section of hair step in more detail, how do you twist it, to what point, and then what’s the best way to tie it off? Thanks mucho mucho much! XOXO Lori

I discovered this way of curling several months ago, and I use it at least once a week! It’s so convenient- it takes me about 30 minutes at night to roll my hair after washing it, but there’s virtually nothing to do in the morning but take out the fabric scraps! 🙂 I just need to find a silk scarf to sleep in because my hair is already naturally frizzy, and sleeping on it makes it worse (I don’t use much hair product).

It took me a while to get the hang of twisting it, as it’s kind of hard to explain that step. I roll mine up and out (not under), and I roll it up to just above eye level. But since I roll mine so high, it is sort of uncomfortable to sleep in sometimes. 🙂

Thanks for the cute diy! It’s so funny, my mom used to have ringlets put in her hair every night by her mom (she hated having them done!!), and when I was little I got my gran to do mine for me a few times (always easier when you have someone else to do them for you!) which I really loved (having polka-straight hair back then!!)… Another way to get waves more than curls is of course to plait your hair overnight… Fun!

Q: Question though-can you describe the twisting the section of hair step in more detail, how do you twist it, to what point, and then what’s the best way to tie it off? Thanks mucho mucho much! XOXO Lori

A: The twisting part is similar to rolling the bottom of your hair into a curling iron. You just roll it up several inches. Where ever you tie it off is where the curls will stop. Practice makes perfect! I would definitely experiment a few times to find the perfect amount of curl for your hair!
XO, elsie

I’m definitely going to have to try this out, especially now that I have long hair again! I love curled hair, but in the crazy summer months I want to steer clear of hairdryers & curling irons. Thanks for sharing!

I’ve done this before! My hair is already pretty coarse and curly, so it really took to the rag rolls. My hair was a fro… But I loved it. I love this post. Rag rolls seem to have gotten lost in all of the fantastic ways you can do your hair.

Loved it! I used to do it with kleenex tissue papers, but this is way better because the fabric is re-usable so less harm for planet earth (: next time I will definitely do it this way.
p.s. Adore the rosy pink cheeks on the model

I have fine and very straight hair. I’ve tried this method so many times to roll my hair. When I unroll the curlers my hair is so frizzy(which it never gets other than this) and it looks like i have a bad 80s hair do. Any suggestions on how to get it like this??

I love the look of rag rolled hair. I used to do it for my daughter for two reasons, one it gave her such cute curls and two she could sleep on the “rollers.” She had so much hair that it took me forever to roll it so we made a game of it in the evening, early bath time, roll some hair, play with the rags, dress the dolly, paint her nails, roll some more hair, find more fun things to do. It took all evening but was so worth it because the outcome was so beautiful!

My mom used to do this to my hair when I was young! Currently I like to do pin curls… I piece out my hair, twist it into pieces and pin it to my head while it’s wet, and then I spray on either curling spray or beach wave spray. Sit out in the hot sun, wait till it’s a bit dry, pull out the pins, shake shake shake and voila.

But the rag curls are obviously better for sleeping in, as pins always fall out in my sleep! Thanks!

My mom always did this to my hair when I was little but the only way it would actually curl (my hair was super fine…but I had a LOT of it) would be if she used Dippity-Do on it instead of the water! Thanks for the memories!!

I remember my mom doing this to my hair when I was a little girl, but curling it all the way to the top. I ended up looking like Curly Sue. I like your variation of only curling it half way. I’ll have to try it.

Such a great reminder of the way gals used to set their hair before we had the benefit of heat styling tools. I think it’s worth saying that if anyone is having trouble getting the ends evenly curled and smooth using just the rags (sometimes one can make the ends too tight or kinked) the sponge part of traditional sponge rollers can be taken off of the plastic frames. You can then thread the rag through the center of the roller and roll around the sponge, tying the same way you would in these directions…so fun!

That was a great piece of information, I enjoyed reading it. I am totally agree with your oppinion.this blog post is very encouraging to people who want to know these topics.I don’t comment on many blogs but after reading a few of your posts I thought I would just say thanks and keep up the good work.

I’ve been having trouble lately keeping my long hair fun and um, generally presentable in public. Thank you for your excellent hair tutorials. Every time I consider chopping my mop, I remember your pretty hair and get motivated to spend an extra few minutes dolling myself up.

Totall irony: I did this last night for the first time in years. Went to One Pretty Thing with the rag rollers still in my hair, only to have it lead me here! I should post a pic of my rag curls on my blog. lol

I LOVE this! I tried it last night and it came out soooo cute! I had super curly hair before my little kiddos were born and then poof it vanished! This is so easy and makes my hair look the way it once did! Thank you thank you thank you!

I have naturally curly/wavy hair, especially when cut in layers {Like it is now}, so I will have to try this the day after a shower or something, but I can’t WAIT to see if I can get those smooth, glossy results. BEAUTIFUL

Oh the memories, my mom always did this to my hair. Three girls with really long hair and my mom had the patience of a saint. We did get a little rap on the head with a brush if we happen to be the third one to get our hair done. ha ha I can hear my mom now, hold still, hold still, if you don’t hold still… I really done blame her!
To the girl who said she needs a silk scarf for the frizz. I went to a wig shop and (for a small price) bought a cap. Works great.
I’m not sure if you’re Katie or your friend is Katie but whoever the model is, your hair is lovely.

I tried this after seeing it pinned on pinterest. It was pretty easy so I wasn’t sure how culy my hair would actually be in the morning. omg.. curliest hair ever. Tight corkscrew ringlets. Thanks for the tutorial!

Socks! Clean ones, of course. The longer and thinner the sock, the looser and bigger the curl. The shorter and thicker the sock, you’ll get ringlets and really tight curls. I do this all the time when I want a curl that will hold all day even if I don’t put hairspray on it.

I think this is such a supper rad idea.I don’t know if it matters but how big should the strips be and should I use a sertin kinda fanric like should i use cotton ok or should I use silk?
Thank you for putting this in my beauty book;)<3

as a suggestion – my eldest daughter went through a ‘Sarah Brightman’ phase years ago and had to have to hair rag-wrapped every night for about 18 months. I found pantyhose to be the best, it’s more flexible (therefore easier to roll) and also softer to sleep in. If you roll damp/wet hair, it dries through the pantyhose.
Just cut rings out of the leg of the hose, then make a single cut in each circle to create the strips 🙂 Nat & Beth’s Mum

My mom and I used to do this with small socks too. The nylon or dress socks worked really well cause they dry quickly. Looks pretty funny while they’re in but turned our great, and no ripping hair trying to get them out.

so cute – got my mom to do it for me a few nights ago and it wasn’t uncomfortable at all to sleep in.. How ever i didn’t do all of them tight enough and ended up with a much straighter section near the front, which sort of ruined the look.. but i’ll try it again for sure =) i love curly hair!

This is awesome for those with uncurl-able hair. I have stick straight fine hair that doesn’t hold a curl produced with heat. I started doing this a couple years ago and it works great! I use a little bit of mousse for hold and wrap the ends in a scrap of paper towel to keep them from getting frizzy/ falling out. Works great!

I just finished doing this right now! It was super easy, just make sure that you have long enough fabric strips, it makes it easier to double-knot them so they dont untie. Thanks for posting how to do this! I’ve always wanted to try. 🙂

I just stumbled upon your blog through the tutorial for coffee syrups. I love your hair styling section! I cut my own hair but I have never been very good at styling. I can’t wait to try some of these, especially this one with the rags. 🙂

I just love this. It is so cute, and looks so easy!
I also agree with all the others, though. Could you add some more about the twisting? In the pictures you can’t see all the way. But I absolutely love Katie, she is so cute, and I love her sleeping picture! Thank you so much for putting this up!

That is soooo cool! I have hair that wont hold a curl cause i have long hair and it wont curl unless i curl it by braiding my hair but Iv always wanted to know how to make it a curl not just a wave! LOL! THX! XOXOXO

To all you ladies out there who use a C-PAP
device! This is a wonderful idea to set your
hair at night and relax. Thank you for this
wonderful idea for people who are challenged
at night! YOU are making a difference. Keep
going with your ideas. Improving someone’s life is a significant contribution. I encourage all C-PAP wearers to please try this.
Not TOO wet, however.

Omg. Too damn cute. I’ve tried to do several different things to my thick annoying pin straight hair to curl it but nothing works loke a curling iron. ima give this a go. Also! I’d LOVE to learn how to do my hair like katie in the picture with the white bow!

Although the rags are cheap and super easy, if you enjoy the look and plan to do it often, there are foam tubes that bend used just for this. Use them the same was as a rag only easier as they aren’t floppy like a piece of cloth. Once its rolled you just cross the two ends over each other. Thought avid rollers would like to know…love this post…good job!!

such an easy and fun way to curl your hair! and the results are amazing i used to just braid my hair every night but ill try this more often when i have a few extra minutes!
thanks! xoxo Alyssahttp://heylyss.wordpress.com/

I remember my Grandma B always did this to my hair as a kid. I love the curls! The part I didn’t love is when she would cut my bangs. They were always way too short. I think my mom hated it more than I did since she was a hair dresser.

One tip: When tying the rags in your hair, don’t tie em too tight or you will get kinks in your hair.

I love love LOVE this method! I do this almost every night and sleep with it. I have short thick hair and it really keeps it under control. I never dampen it, in case anyone wondering if it works without water. 🙂

Thank you for this! This turned out so much prettier than curling iron curls, which seem to drop really fast on me no matter what I do – the waves are more even and long lasting with this method, and best of all since I’m growing my hair longer, no heat damage yay! Your model is absolutely adorable too 🙂

I used to do my daughter’s hair in ragrolls, so cute! To Jacquelynn, if you have problems with frizzy hair try moroccan oil, its absolutely amazing! I use it all the time now and it makes your hair silky smooth.

Such a cute tutorial!! (I’m new here- I found this website via craftgawker:)
I have a couple of questions…
Q: How did Katie do that hairstyle where she has her curled hair up with the lace? And how many rolls of hair do you recommend doing?

This is adorable, although I have one concern. I have to wash my hair in the mornings because my hair is naturally oily. Is there a way to speed up the process instead of sleeping on it so that this can be done after I wash my hair? 🙂 Would blowdrying the sections on a low setting work?

When I’ve tried this before, I used a really fat sharpie marker. I’d lay the strip of fabric across it so it was parallel with the marker and then roll it up like you would a curling iron. Tie the strip (keep it simple, and not too tight– you want to be able to take it out in the morning). I think I was trying to come up too high, because mine never seemed to work. I think I’ll try it again. This time not so high up and I’ll try wrapping it in a scarf…can’t wait to try it again!

my mom tried to do this once for my sister and i when we were little and we made the HUGE mistake of trying to brush them after taking the rags out…BAD IDEA!! but the curls were beautiful before we did that lol!! my baby shower is this weekend and i needed a hairstyle 😉 thanks!!

Your third photo looks so cute! This reminded me of my cheerleader friends back when I was in highschool, they used to have hair like these. I can’t wait for my hair to grow longer so I could try this out.

when i was younger i had perfect ringlets but as my hair got thicker and longer they started to drop out so my mum used to put my hair in rags every night right to the top of my head, haven’t styled my hair like this in 15 years might just give it a go again see if it will still work on my hair now
Thank you for reminding me of an old favourite

Ok so I tried this last night and when I took out my cloth strips I looked like Medusa! I have thick hair and maybe I can try doing bigger chunks of hair. I’m not sure if this will work on my hair. I was hoping to have luscious curls to go to work with and instead I have a ratty bun. Any suggestions from the tutorial queen?

I tried this DIY last night and when I took them out in the morning I had these crazy ringlet curls, not quite like the airy and light ones in the picture. Maybe too much water? Or rolled too tight? Trial by error I suppose. All hair not created equal 😛

Anyone remember back in the sixties when we wanted STRAIGHT hair and we rolled it on those giant hard plastic rollers (or orange juice cans). Nobody thought anything about sleeping on those things. How did we do it.

Yes indeedy….this is how my mother use to curl my hair the night befor school. And with 5 girls fixin hair in the mornin was a chore. We caught on right away and were able to curl our own hair. We learn to fashion/design with barettes and ribbons. Plus it is easier to sleep in, instead of the standard head rollers. Thanks for the “tidbit” and for sharing

wow! thnx a lot for this diy! totally cute! i have naturally STRAIGHT hair (reeeaalllyy straight) and tried curling it once. but i dint really stand for more than an hour! this is easier and less damaging! thnx a million, billion, trillion, ga-ZILLION!!!!!!!!!!